Barcelona have reportedly decided against exercising their £26million option to sign Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United this summer. The Spanish champions have instead chosen to pursue a deal for Anthony Gordon, agreeing a £60million transfer with Newcastle United.
Rashford's return to Manchester United
The 28-year-old England international will return to Old Trafford after the World Cup unless a separate transfer can be arranged before then. Barcelona's option to sign him is believed to expire on Monday, just two days before England's opening Group L match against Croatia.
Implications for both clubs
This decision represents a significant shift in Barcelona's transfer strategy. The Catalan club had initially shown strong interest in Rashford following his loan spell, where he made a positive impact. However, the emergence of Gordon as a primary target has altered their plans.
Manchester United now face the challenge of reintegrating Rashford into their squad or finding an alternative buyer. The forward's future remains uncertain, with several Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring the situation.
Further updates on this developing story will be provided as they become available.
